A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

stick to one’s guns • stick to one’s last
stick to one’s guns —hold fast to a statement, opinion, or
course of action: We were all glad that Kit stuck to her guns
about divorcing him. The proceedings took place very qui-
etly…
stick to one’s last—keep to what one knows; refrain from
doing smth. that one is not good at: The view was that I ought
to stick to my last and run the program, and Jim would take
care of the rest.
stick up for someone • stick up to someone
stick up for someone —(coll.) take the part of smb.; defend a
person (also: stand up for someone): I stuck up for him and said
I had always found him to be honest.
stick up to someone —(coll.) meet an opponent with courage;
resist a person (also: stand up to someone): If there is no one
who dare stick up to him, he soon becomes intolerable.
stock author • stock book
stock author —a person who writes plays which form part of
a repertoire of a particular theatrical company: Jones keeps a
stock author, and does not rely on outsiders.
stock book —a book in which an account is kept of goods in
stock: Love was a sentiment too elevated for one whose imag-
ination dwelt habitually on the beauties of the stock-books.
stone fence • stone wall
stone fence —(U.S. sl.) an alcoholic liquor: “Stone fence” is
the euphonious cognomen given to whisky which is drunk
with cider instead of water.
stone wall —
1
. parliamentary obstruction of a debate, bill,
etc. by engaging in delaying tactics: The New Zealand Leg-
islation indulged in what is known as a “stone wall.” 2. a body
of politicians practicing “stone wall” tactics of obstruction:
Mr. Smith wished to ask whether the six members constituted
the “stone wall” which was to oppose all progress?